EUGENE, Ore. — A historic building nestled in South Eugene is facing an increasing wave of vandalism, much to the dismay of those who cherish the property for its deep spiritual and cultural significance.
The Saraha Nyingma Buddhist Institute, which was established in 2012, occupies a unique and historic building that was originally purchased from the Unitarian Universalist Church. The building, which also serves as a temple, had once been home to a children’s school operated by the institute, but that program closed in 2019. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the property has seen a troubling rise in vandalism, according to community members.
Liz Coleman, a Buddhist practitioner who is involved with the center, described the damage to the building as deeply frustrating. “It’s sad to see the damage to the building, to see broken glass everywhere, to see our sacred objects moved about and disrespected,” she said. “It’s sad for the people who are the perpetrators because obviously they are suffering really badly to make such damage in a space that is not theirs to harm.”
Michael Maretich, the manager of the property and lead Buddhist instructor, shared similar sentiments, though he chose not to dwell on the details of the repeated acts of vandalism. “It’s going to be embarrassing for most in my mind, of the people who did damaging things here,” he said. “And then they have to go back to their thoughts in life and stuff like this. It’s definitely not helping in any way.”
The building is used by the Buddhist community most days of the week, with Sundays typically hosting larger gatherings. Despite its importance, the Buddhist community in Eugene is small, and the institute, though integral, tends to be a quiet and hidden presence.
“We’re not self-promotional. We are quiet and so it tends to be hidden and quiet because we are meditators,” Coleman explained. “We need funding because we’re a small organization. A large building with a few people, who are not wealthy. And we have an old building to maintain.”
The building itself holds significant historical value. According to Coleman, it was originally designed by the same architects who designed the old Eugene City Council building, with a distinctive octagonal roof. The property also carries a deep connection to Tibetan Buddhism, particularly through its association with Dujim Ripochet, a lama who was instrumental in bringing Buddhism to Tibet. In 1980, Ripochet visited the building at the invitation of the Unitarians and had a vision for the space, foreseeing it as a future center for Buddhist teaching and practice. The building, in many ways, became a manifestation of that vision, and in 2012, the Unitarians sold it to the Buddhist community.
“It was magical,” Coleman recalled. “He was probably 30 years old and he came here for this teaching and it was the building of his vision.”
Today, the Saraha Nyingma Buddhist Institute remains a vital spiritual center, regularly visited by Tibetan lamas, Buddhist teachers, and people from all walks of life. Maretich emphasized the continuing importance of the space to the Buddhist community in Eugene, noting that many who visit the center do so with reverence, even if they are unaware of the institute’s full history.
To combat the growing threat of vandalism and to ensure the future of the building, Coleman has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to fund the installation of security cameras and fencing around the property. The goal is to protect this historic and cherished space, ensuring it can continue to serve as a sanctuary for practitioners and visitors alike.
“We’ve had Tibetan lamas come stay here, live for a while,” Maretich said. “People don’t even know we exist. But it’s a special place.”
As the institute faces these challenges, its community members remain committed to preserving the building’s legacy and maintaining its role as a center for spiritual growth and education in Eugene.
